What's the Buzz? 8/1/06
So August is here, the trade deadline gone and everyone involved has had a chance to settle in with their new team. A relatively slow day for news compared to yesterday so let's just get right to it...
White Sox DH Jim Thome, out for a third straight game today, is still being called day to day with back spasms. It's pretty much 50-50 for him starting on Wednesday, but no one seems to be too concerned. It doesn't appear like he will go on the DL.
The Padres made a few changes today as they released OF Eric Young, sent OF Termell Sledge to the minors and activated OF Ben Johnson from the DL. No major value here, fantasy wise. Johnson shoulde end up on the short end of the left field platoon.
So the Astros activated Morgan Ensberg from the disabled list today and had him back at third base tonight. Aubrey Huff shifted over to right field and Mike Lamb stayed at first. It should remain like this until Lance Berkman gets back from his groin injury. Once he gets back, he should play over at first pushing Lamb to the bench.
Just when things were going great in Minnesota, the Twins have more to worry about. Apparently Francisco Liriano will be scratched from his Wednesday start due to discomfort in his elbow. The team says there's nothing to worry about and said that an MRI revealed no structural damage. You'll have to be careful with this as there is some history with injuries before, particularly the shoulder. He may only miss this one start but no one has ruled out a possible DL stint. The Twins are bringing back Boof Bonser to take his place in the rotation and we all know what he's about right now.
Did anyone have Royals pitcher Scott Elarton on their team? If you answered yes, then how's last place treating you? Elarton had season ending surgery...again. His second major shoulder surgery. If he's even around in 2007, run away.
The Yankees opted to stick with Bubba Crosby as their 4th outfielder and sent Aaron Guiel down to the minors. Crosby will continue to be a late inning defensive replacement limiting his value to as close to next to nothing as you can get right now. The Yankees are just too stacked with outfielders right now to give anyone much value besides Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu. Even Bernie Williams' value takes a big hit with the recent trades.
More bad news for the Red Sox as they were forced to put catcher Jason Varitek on the 15 day DL with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Surgery is required and he should be out for 4 to 6 weeks. Doug Mirabelli takes over the primary duties with recent call up Ken Huckaby acting as the backup. Mirabelli definitely has value right now if you need a second catcher.
Unreal what the Pirates surround Jason Bay with. To add to the mediocrity in the outfield, the team brought back Chris Duffy who will platoon now with Jose Bautista in center while Nate McLouth moves over to platoon with Jeromy Burnitz in right. It still astounds me that Bay signed that extension with the team....what...last year? The year before? They've done nothing to improve the squad around their star player.
The Dodgers designated OF Jose Cruz, Jr. for assignment today, probably ending his tenure in Los Angeles. He may pick up somewhere else if he's traded or released, but he'll be nothing more than a reserve outfielder.
The Nationals are calling up 30 year old career minor leaguer Brandon Harper to take the spot of backup catcher as Robert Fick was put on the disabled list today. This will mark the first time Harper has appeared in the majors, so don't think there's some diamond in the rough here.
That's about it for today....check your lineups. The season is 2/3 of the way over and we're coming to the end soon. Critical if you're in the race at this point. Good luck out there.
Catch you next time...
White Sox DH Jim Thome, out for a third straight game today, is still being called day to day with back spasms. It's pretty much 50-50 for him starting on Wednesday, but no one seems to be too concerned. It doesn't appear like he will go on the DL.
The Padres made a few changes today as they released OF Eric Young, sent OF Termell Sledge to the minors and activated OF Ben Johnson from the DL. No major value here, fantasy wise. Johnson shoulde end up on the short end of the left field platoon.
So the Astros activated Morgan Ensberg from the disabled list today and had him back at third base tonight. Aubrey Huff shifted over to right field and Mike Lamb stayed at first. It should remain like this until Lance Berkman gets back from his groin injury. Once he gets back, he should play over at first pushing Lamb to the bench.
Just when things were going great in Minnesota, the Twins have more to worry about. Apparently Francisco Liriano will be scratched from his Wednesday start due to discomfort in his elbow. The team says there's nothing to worry about and said that an MRI revealed no structural damage. You'll have to be careful with this as there is some history with injuries before, particularly the shoulder. He may only miss this one start but no one has ruled out a possible DL stint. The Twins are bringing back Boof Bonser to take his place in the rotation and we all know what he's about right now.
Did anyone have Royals pitcher Scott Elarton on their team? If you answered yes, then how's last place treating you? Elarton had season ending surgery...again. His second major shoulder surgery. If he's even around in 2007, run away.
The Yankees opted to stick with Bubba Crosby as their 4th outfielder and sent Aaron Guiel down to the minors. Crosby will continue to be a late inning defensive replacement limiting his value to as close to next to nothing as you can get right now. The Yankees are just too stacked with outfielders right now to give anyone much value besides Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu. Even Bernie Williams' value takes a big hit with the recent trades.
More bad news for the Red Sox as they were forced to put catcher Jason Varitek on the 15 day DL with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Surgery is required and he should be out for 4 to 6 weeks. Doug Mirabelli takes over the primary duties with recent call up Ken Huckaby acting as the backup. Mirabelli definitely has value right now if you need a second catcher.
Unreal what the Pirates surround Jason Bay with. To add to the mediocrity in the outfield, the team brought back Chris Duffy who will platoon now with Jose Bautista in center while Nate McLouth moves over to platoon with Jeromy Burnitz in right. It still astounds me that Bay signed that extension with the team....what...last year? The year before? They've done nothing to improve the squad around their star player.
The Dodgers designated OF Jose Cruz, Jr. for assignment today, probably ending his tenure in Los Angeles. He may pick up somewhere else if he's traded or released, but he'll be nothing more than a reserve outfielder.
The Nationals are calling up 30 year old career minor leaguer Brandon Harper to take the spot of backup catcher as Robert Fick was put on the disabled list today. This will mark the first time Harper has appeared in the majors, so don't think there's some diamond in the rough here.
That's about it for today....check your lineups. The season is 2/3 of the way over and we're coming to the end soon. Critical if you're in the race at this point. Good luck out there.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:51 PM
